Delays, no injuries because of I-295 crash

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Delays, no injuries because of I-295 crash

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 10:26 am

CUMBERLAND — Traffic on Interstate 295 backed up for several miles between Yarmouth and Portland during Monday's rush hour after a southbound car struck a guard rail and collided with a tractor trailer, which in turn struck a second car.
No one was injured in the accident, which took place in Cumberland near the Falmouth town line at 4 p.m.
Although no one was charged in the accident, Maine State Police reported that the first car's driver, Jolie Sandora, 38, of Portland, was "distracted while behind the wheel."
Troopers said witnesses reported that she appeared to be reaching for something inside her car as it veered into the guardrail. Police said phone records indicate there were no cell phone calls taking place at the time of the crash.
After striking the guard rail, Sandora's car collided with the truck, driven by Meldon Gibbs, 58, of Jackson. The truck was hauling mulch and ended up on its side in the median. The other car involved was driven by Nina Orchard, 20, of Dover, N.H.
Traffic was reduced to one lane in both directions as the evening commute began. The site was cleared around 7 p.m.